Epperson Named to 30-Man Golden Spikes Award Watch List

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara senior utilityman Joey Epperson has been named to the 30-man Golden Spikes Award Watch List, it was announced by USA Baseball on Thursday afternoon.

The Golden Spikes Award is given out annually to the top amateur baseball player in the country. Almost a month ago, Epperson was named to the 50-man Midseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List, becoming the first Gaucho ever to be nominated for the award.

He is the one of only four Big West players – and the only hitter – to make the cut on this list. Cal State Fullerton's Thomas Eshelman, Cal Poly's Matt Imhof, and UC Irvine's Andrew Morales were the others.

Heading into UCSB's final home series of the year, Epperson sports the top on-base percentage in the Big West at .487 while also maintaining top-five conference marks in batting average (.384, second), hits (61, second), runs (35, second), hit by pitches (11, fourth), and slugging percentage (.509, fourth).

Semifinalists for the award will be announced on May 27, at which points fans can cast their vote for their favorite player. The winner of the Golden Spikes Award will be announced on July 17.

For more information on this weekend's showdown with Cal State Northridge, click here.

With Gaucho baseball and softball both hosting their final home series of the year this weekend, UCSB is proud to announce Walk Off Weekend. Giveaways, ticket specials, merchandise offers, and discounted food and beverage will all be in store over the weekend as the Gauchos wrap up another campaign. Tickets to all UCSB games can be purchased online here.